OMEGA DE VILLE HISTORY

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The History of the Omega De Ville

A 1994 Omega De Ville Central Tourbillon / Credit: Christie’s

The early 1960s were quite the time for Omega, they had just launched their famous trilogy of tools watches including the Omega Speedmaster, Omega Seamaster, and Omega Railmaster in 1957. And, in 1960, Omega was the Official Timekeeper for the Rome Olympics.

Well, the early 1960s also marked the launch of the Omega ‘De Ville’. First as part of the Seamaster series, eventually becoming the ‘Seamaster De Ville’, and then, in 1967, for the first time as its own stand-alone collection. Supposedly due to its popularity. Once an independent collection, the Omega De Ville proved to be sought-after for its sleek, elegant design and reliable mechanical movements.

In the 1970s, the Omega De Ville won a couple awards: the Grand Prize ‘Triumph of European Excellence’ awarded by the Committee of European Excellence and 6 ‘Six Golden Roses’ at the Baden-Baden Design Awards.

Skipping over the De Ville in the 1980s, the early 1990s saw the first central tourbillon in an Omega De Ville. While Omega had previously made tourbillon wristwatches in the 1940s, using the Omega Cal. 301, this tourbillon was different, as it was central and its release marked Omega’s 100th anniversary. The development of this new Omega tourbillon was supposedly nicknamed ‘Project 33’ or ‘P33’ and lead by Moritz Grimm and André Beyner since 1991. It was a difficult technical project and took some inspiration from Omega’s archives to achieve, but the team managed to complete it by 1994, launching the new Omega De Ville Central Tourbillon

Omega Co-Axial Cal. 2500 / Credit: Millenary Watches

Then, towards the end of the decade in 1999, the Omega De Ville was again honoured, chosen to be the first Omega model to bear the new and innovative Omega Caliber 2500; the first co-axial escapement – launched at Baselworld. For some reason, since it was born in the 1960s, the Omega De Ville has time and time again been chosen to mark horological milestones for Omega. From winning awards and being fitted with the best movements, to being chosen to launch new and innovative concepts like the central tourbillon and the co-axial escapement, the De Ville is truly a remarkable Omega. Today it continues to be central to the Omega lineup, still taking inspiration from the design of its predecessors.

By: Andres Ibarguen

Read more:

  • “Omega History.” Omega Watches, https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/chronicle/1967-the-de-ville-is-born

  • “History of Omega de Ville.” Swiss Watch Expo, May 7th, 2017, https://www.swisswatchexpo.com/TheWatchClub/2017/05/07/the-history-of-the-omega-de-ville/.

  • Altieri, Paul. “Omega De Ville Ultimate Buying Guide.” Bob’s Watches, April 30th, 2021, https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/buying-guides/omega-de-ville-watches-buying-guide.html.

  • “Omega Central Tourbillon – Part 2: History of Development.” WatchProSite, April 15th, 2007, https://www.watchprosite.com/omega/omega-central-tourbillon--part-2-history-of-development/677.361061.2212996/.

A vintage Omega De Ville Quartz ref. 192.0035 on its original bracelet and recently serviced, for sale on Toronto Vintage Watches.